Jeddah, 30.09.2014 : The Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, informed media representatives from Muslim countries that the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hajj Meat, managed by IDB, has introduced for the first time the Adahi Mobile Point of Sale to make it convenient for the pilgrims and for those interested purchasing Hady, Fidya, Odhyia, Sadaqa or Aqeqa coupons.
“An electronic coupon with the Project name and logo along with the price will be printed and an SMS sent to the buyer to confirm the transaction,” Dr. Ali explained while addressing the media representatives at the IDB Headquarters, currently in Saudi Arabia to cover this year’s Hajj.
He further stated that the Project is designed to make it easy for pilgrims to perform the ritual by providing animals that meet all Sharia and health requirements and by ensuring that the environment around the Holy Sites remains clean and protected. “ Since its inception in 1403H (1983), the Project has managed to utilize and distribute more than 17 million livestock amongst the poor in Saudi Arabia and 27 other countries,” he added.
The IDB Group Chairman indicated that the Project’s website www.adahi.org is designed to enable individuals intending to buy sheep for Hady, Odhiya, Sadaqa, Fidya, and Aqeqa to do so with a credit card all year round, from any part in the world. Price for each coupon this year 1435 H (2014) will be SR 490 (US$ 131 or Euro 98, according to the current exchange rate).
He also indicated that people can purchase the direct sale coupons from Saudi post offices, branches of Al Rajhi Bank, Al Amoudi foreign exchange bureaus, the Association of Charity Gift for Pilgrims, and the Way for Retail Techniques Company.
Dr. Ali referred to Royal Decree 131 of 15/6/1419H (5/10/1998) under which it was officially declared that the sole institution authorized to sell Adahi coupons is confined to the Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hajj Meat. He further indicated that the Project has so far made provisions for 750,000 sheep and 10,000 cows and camels.
The Chairman commended the Project for enabling pilgrims to perform this rite with great ease and thus focus on other Hajj rites. He added that the Project helps to make the meat available to its rightful beneficiaries among the poor in Makkah and then provide the surplus to (27) countries for distribution among the poor.
The IDB Group Chairman also emphasized that all the animals are inspected by veterinary doctors and Sharia scholars to ensure that the animals meet all Sharia and health requirements.
In conclusion, he expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, his Crown Prince and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their valuable support to the Islamic Development Bank as well as their support for the Adahi Project to facilitate the performance of the sacred ritual of Hajj, which is designed to demonstrate Allah’s wisdom through this ritual.
The occasion was also attended by many newspapers and news agencies in Jeddah.